People following a basal-bolus insulin regimen use separate injections of a basal insulin and a mealtime insulin. This regimen is designed to address hyperglycemia before it happens by providing adequate insulin to cover fasting and prandial insulin needs. A premix insulin regimen combines prandial insulin analogs and the intermediate-acting insulin, NPH, in one injection. The results of this study demonstrated that patients using a basal-bolus regimen, with Lantus® and Apidra®, reported improved outcomes and quality of life.

"These results indicate that patients treated with a basal-bolus insulin regimen consisting of Lantus® and Apidra® demonstrate an improved quality of life and patient reported outcomes compared to those treated with premix analog insulin," said Donald Simonson, MD, MPH, ScD of the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension Division of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts and principal investigator of the study.

Abstract Number 2163-PO demonstrated that more patients treated with Lantus® and Apidra® achieved greater satisfaction, improved quality of life, better glycemic control and less variability, without increased risk of hypoglycemia or other adverse events versus premix analog insulin. Outcomes showed:

Abstract Number 0001-LB demonstrated that glycemic variability, as estimated by continuous glucose monitoring (CGMS), was lower for the Lantus® and Apidra® group than the premix group, and exhibited more favorable patient reported satisfaction and perceived health. Patient satisfaction consisted of glycemic effectiveness, advocacy, preference and general satisfaction; perceived health consisted of vitality, general health and sleep. Outcomes showed:

The data analysis indicated that while patient satisfaction worsened for each year of insulin use by 2.3 +/- 0.9 (p<0.01), it increased by 6.1 +/- 1.2 for each percent decrease in A1C (p<0.001).

About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic, widespread condition in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to transport glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells of the body for energy. More than 230 million people worldwide are living with the disease and this number is expected to rise to a staggering 350 million within 20 years. It is estimated that nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, including an estimated 5.7 million who remain undiagnosed. At the same time, approximately 40 percent of those diagnosed are not achieving the blood sugar control target of A1C <7 percent recommended by the ADA. The A1C test measures average blood glucose levels over the past two-to-three-month period.

About the sanofi-aventis Diabetes Division

Sanofi-aventis strives to be a 360 degree partner delivering innovative and integrated solutions for people living with diabetes. The Company currently has insulin products, including Lantus®, Apidra® and Insuman® -- Lantus® and Apidra® are also available as injection pens (Lantus® SoloSTAR® and Apidra® SoloSTAR®). Also available in some countries (outside the US) is ClikSTAR®, a reusable insulin injection pen for Lantus® or Apidra® for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Following the formation of its Diabetes Division, sanofi-aventis has agreements with other companies for the development of blood glucose monitoring solutions and the potential first regenerative treatment for diabetes. Investigational compounds also in the pipeline include a once-daily injectable GLP-1 agonist as a monotherapy and in combination with Lantus® as well as a long-acting insulin analog.

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY). For more information, please visit: www.sanofi-aventis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

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